Katherine Legge

NASCAR racing // British

Racing is one of the only sports in the world where it doesn’t matter whether you’re male or female, black or white or whatever. I really hope we can underline that and drive that point home

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nickname:

Kat

Birthday:

July 12, 1980 (45)

Birthplace:

Guildford, United Kingdom

racing type:

NASCAR racing

team(s):

racing status:

Pro

height (cm):

157

residence:

Syresham, Northamptonshire

inspiration(s):

guilty pLEASURES:

FOLLOWING:

GRRL! Number:

GRRL-0271

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profile updated: June 12, 2025

Katherine Legge is a trailblazing British racing driver who has broken boundaries across multiple motorsport disciplines, becoming the first woman to achieve numerous milestones in professional racing while competing at the highest levels in IndyCar, ChampCar, IMSA, and various other series.

EARLY YEARS

Born on July 12, 1980, in Guildford, Surrey, England, Katherine’s racing journey began not from an innate interest in cars but from a thirst for competition and adrenaline. During a family holiday, after persistent requests to her father, she tried karting for the first time, igniting her passion for racing. Katherine was very close to her father, who worked in construction, often accompanying him to building sites which helped shape her competitive spirit and determination that would define her career.

EARLY SUCCESS

Katherine’s career began in go-karts, winning her first race at just nine years old in her hometown of Guilford, England. She quickly advanced through open-wheel racing categories including British Formula 3, Formula Renault, and Formula Ford. In 2000, she made history by becoming the first woman to achieve pole position in the British Formula Ford Zetec series. Her breakthrough moment came in 2005 at the Toyota Atlantic Championship when she won the season opener at Long Beach, California, making her the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in North America. That same year, she tested a Formula One car with Minardi at Vallelunga in Italy, showcasing her versatility and determination.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

2000: First woman to win pole in the British Formula Ford Zetec series[4].
2002: First female to receive prestigious British Racing Drivers Club “Rising Star” accolade and won the British Women Racing Drivers Club Susan JP Jamieson award for fastest lap speed[4].
2005: Earned three victories in the Toyota Atlantic Championship, winning at Long Beach, Edmonton, and San Jose, and named RACER magazine’s Most Promising Road Racer[4].
2005: Tested a Minardi Formula One car, becoming the first woman to test a Formula One car since Giovanna Amati in 1992[1].
2006-07: Became the first woman to lead a race in the Champ Car series[1].
2013: First woman to lead an American Le Mans Series race at Road America and the first woman to lead the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2016[1].
2018: Finished second in the IMSA GTD championship and became the first woman to win in the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy series at Mexico City[1].

REPUTATION

Throughout her career spanning over two decades, Katherine has earned a reputation as a versatile and determined competitor who consistently breaks barriers for women in motorsports. Her groundbreaking achievements have established her as a pioneer, from becoming the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in North America to leading laps in prestigious series like Champ Car and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Katherine has been recognized for her contributions to the sport with an induction into the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach “Walk of Fame.” Her perseverance across multiple racing disciplines has made her an inspiration and role model for aspiring female drivers worldwide.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Katherine is set to make her ARCA debut in the 2025 season-opener at Daytona, driving the No. 23 car for Sigma Performance Services. In an exciting new challenge, she will also venture into dirt racing for the first time at the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals, partnering with Abacus Racing. Additionally, she has expressed a strong desire to return to the Indianapolis 500 to redeem herself after a disappointing finish in previous attempts.